Pearl of the Indian Ocean Escape

Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport and transfer to Colombo, where you check into your city hotel and settle in. Spend the evening at leisure with a relaxed sunset walk along Galle Face Green, taking in the ocean breeze and lively atmosphere, before an optional taste of Sri Lanka’s vibrant street food scene. Overnight in Colombo.

Travel through scenic countryside to Kandy, a journey of roughly three-and-a-half to four hours. Visit the revered Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, then enjoy an unhurried walk around tranquil Kandy Lake. In the evening, an optional traditional dance performance brings local culture to life before you check into a boutique hill-country hotel. Overnight in Kandy.

Continue into misty tea country toward Nuwara Eliya, stopping en route at a working tea plantation and factory to learn how Ceylon’s famous brew is grown and processed. On arrival, unwind with a peaceful stroll or boating session at Gregory Lake, surrounded by cool hill-country air and colonial charm. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.

Transfer to Nanu Oya Railway Station for one of the world’s most celebrated train journeys, winding roughly three hours through tea estates, tunnels, waterfalls and dramatic mountain views. On arrival in Ella, visit the iconic Nine Arch Bridge and the cascading Ravana Falls before settling in for the night. Overnight in Ella.

Travel south via the expressway toward Bentota, breaking the five-to-six-hour journey with a stop at historic Galle Fort – explore its centuries-old ramparts, lighthouse and boutique streets. Continue on to Bentota as evening falls, settling into your beachfront stay for a relaxed night by the ocean. Overnight in Bentota.

Enjoy a relaxed morning with an optional Madu River boat safari or a visit to a turtle hatchery, both showcasing Bentota’s rich coastal ecosystems. Travel back to Colombo for last-minute shopping at One Galle Face Mall, local markets and tea boutiques, before transferring to the airport for your departure flight.